Process for preparing indolinone derivatives

ABSTRACT

The present invention refers to a process for preparing indolinone derivatives of the general formula (VI) as defined in the specification and intermediates of that process.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent application claims the benefit of the following provisional application: U.S. Serial No. 60/411,732, filed Sep. 18, 2002; and International Application No: PCT/US02/04407, filed Feb. 15, 2002, under 35 USC 119(e)(i), the entire content of both applications being incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention refers to a process for preparing indolinone derivatives and intermediates of that process.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] A number of indolinone derivatives have been found to exhibit pharmaceutical activity. Due to the ability to modulate the protein kinase activity, they have been suggested to treat an number of conditions such as various types of cancer, mastocytosis, allergy associated chronic rhinitis, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, restenosis, fibrosis, psoriasis, von Hippel-Lindau disease, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, angiogensis, inflammatory disorders, immunological disorders, and cardiovascular disorders (WO 01/45689, WO 01/60814, WO 99/48868, U.S. Pat. No. 6,316,429, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,316,635, 6,133,305, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,248,771).

[0004] Among the indolinone derivatives those having an amide group on a heterocyclic ring condensed with the indolinone have been of interest. These compounds modulate protein kinase activity and are thus useful in treating diseases relating to abnormal protein kinase activity. A process for preparing the amide derivatives is disclosed in WO 01/60814. An appropriate pyrrole is formylated and subsequently condensed with a 2-indolinone to give a respective 5-(2-oxo-1,2-dihydroindole-3-ylidenemethyl)-1H-pyrrole. If an amide derivative of the pyrrole is desired, a pyrrole having a carboxylic acid group is selected. The carboxylic acid group is reacted with the desired amine in the presence of dimethylformamide, 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylamino-propyl)carbodiimide and 1-hydroxybenzotriazole. In example 129 a scale-up procedure is disclosed in which the amidation is conducted in the presence of dimethylformamide, benzotriazole-1-yloxytris(dimethylamino)phosphonium hexafluorophosphate (BOP) and triethylamine.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved process for preparing indolinone derivatives which have an amide group on a heterocyclic ring condensed with the indolinone.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention provides a process for preparing an indolinone of the general formula (VI)

[0007] wherein

[0008] R¹, R², R³, R⁴ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₁₂ alkyl, C₁₋₁₂ alkoxy, C₅₋₁₂ cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₂ aryl, C₅₋₁₂ heterocyclic group containing 1 to 3 atoms selected from N, S or O, provided that the heterocyclic group may be partially unsaturated, but not aromatic, C₆₋₁₂ aryloxy, C₆₋₁₂ alkaryl, C₆₋₁₂ alkaryloxy, halogen, trihalomethyl, hydroxy, —S(O)R′, —SO₂NR′R″, SO₃R′, —SR′, —NO₂, —NR′R″, —OH, —CN, —C(O)R′, —OC(O)R′, —NHC(O)R′, —(CH₂),CO₂R′, and —CONR′R″;

[0009] each R⁵ is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₁₂ alkyl, C₁₋₁₂ alkoxy, C₅₋₁₂ cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₂ aryl, C₅₋₁₂ heterocyclic group containing 1 to 3 atoms selected from N, S or O, provided that the heterocyclic group may be partially unsaturated, but not aromatic, C₆₋₁₂ aryloxy, C₆₋₁₂ alkaryl, C₆₋₁₂ alkaryloxy, halogen, trihalomethyl, hydroxy, —S(O)R′, —SO₂NR′R″, —SO₃R′, —SR′, —NO₂, —NR′R″, —OH, —CN, —C(O)R′, —OC(O)R′, —NHC(O)R′, —CH₂),CO₂R′, and —CONR′R″; R⁶ is selected from —NR⁸(CH₂)_(m)R⁹ and —NR¹⁰R¹¹, provided that optionally one to two of the CH₂ groups may be substituted by —OH or halogen; R⁸ is hydrogen or C₁₋₁₂ alkyl;

[0010] R⁹ is selected from the group consisting of —NR¹⁰R¹¹, —OH, —C(O)R¹², C₆₋₁₂ aryl, C₅₋₁₂ heterocyclic group containing 1 to 3 atoms selected from N, S or O, —N⁺(O⁻)R¹⁰, and —NHC(O)R¹³;

[0011] R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₁₂ alkyl, C₁₋₁₂ cyanoalkyl, C₅₋₁₂ cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₂ aryl, and C₅₋₁₂ heterocyclic group containing 1 to 3 atoms selected from N, S or O; or R¹⁰ and R¹¹ may be combined to form a five- or six-membered heterocyclic group optionally containing 1 to 3 atoms selected from N, O, or S in addition to the nitrogen atom to which R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are bound, provided that the heterocyclic group formed by R¹⁰ and R¹¹ may optionally be substituted by R′

[0012] R¹² is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, —OH, C₁₋₁₂ alkoxy and C₆₋₁₂ aryloxy;

[0013] R¹³ is selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₁₂ alkyl, C₁₋₁₂ haloalkyl, and C₆₋₁₂ aralkyl;

[0014] R′ and R″ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₁₂ alkyl, C₁₋₁₂ cyanoalkyl, C₅₋₁₂ cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₂ aryl, C₅₋₁₂ heterocyclic group containing 1 to 3 atoms selected from N, S or O, provided that the heterocyclic group may be partially unsaturated, but not aromatic, or in the group —NR′R″ the R′ and R″ substituents may be combined to form a five- or six-membered heterocyclic group optionally containing 1 to 3 atoms selected from N, O, or S in addition to the nitrogen atom to which R′ and R″ are bound,

[0015] The terms “halogen” and “halo” refer to substituents selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, and I

[0016] J is selected from the group consisting of O, S, and NH;

[0017] one of K, L and M is C and the group —C(O)R⁶ is bound thereto, the others of the group of K, L and M are independently selected from the group consisting of CR⁵, CR⁵ ₂, N, NR⁵, O and S;

[0018] n is 0, 1 or 2;

[0019] m is 1, 2, 3, or 4; and

[0020] p is 0, 1 or 2;

[0021] comprising the steps of

[0022] (i) reacting a compound of general formula (I)

[0023]  wherein R⁵, J, K, L, M and p are as defined above,

[0024] Q is selected from the group consisting of

[0025]  with a compound of general formula (II)

X²—R  (II)

[0026] wherein:

[0027] (a) one of X¹ and X² is chlorine, or bromine, and the other is selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, —O—C₁₋₄ alkyl and —O-phenyl, and R is selected from the group consisting of —C(O)—C₁₋₄ alkyl, C(O)—O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —C(O)—O-phenyl, provided that the phenyl may optionally be substituted by 1 to 3 halogen atoms, —C(O)—O—CH₂-phenyl, provided that the phenyl may optionally be substituted by 1 to 3 halogen atoms, or

[0028] (b) X¹ is chlorine or bromine, X² is hydrogen and R is selected from the group consisting of

[0029]  or

[0030] (c) X¹ is hydroxy, —O—C₁₋₄ alkyl and —O-phenyl,

[0031] X² is

[0032] and R is

[0033]  to form a compound of the general formula (III)

[0034]  wherein R* is —O—R in case (a) of step (i) and —R in cases (b) and (c) of step (i),

[0035] (ii) reacting the compound of general formula (III) with a compound of general formula (IV)

[0036]  wherein R¹, R², R³, and R⁴ are as defined above,

[0037]  and an amine of general formula (V)

HR⁶  (V)

[0038]  wherein R⁶ is as defined above, to form the indolinone of the general formula (VI).

[0039] The dashed lines in the heterocyclic ring system mean that two double bonds are present but their position is not specified.

[0040] A further embodiment the present invention relates to a process for preparing a compound of the general formula (III)

[0041] wherein

[0042] R⁵, J, K, L, M, and p are as defined above;

[0043] comprising the steps of

[0044] (i) reacting a compound of general formula (I)

[0045]  R⁵, J, K, L, M, and p are as defined above;

[0046] with a compound of general formula (II)

X²—R  (II)

[0047] (a) wherein one of X¹ and X² is chlorine, or bromine; and the other is selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, —O—C₁₋₄ alkyl and —O-phenyl; and R is selected from the group consisting of —(O)—C₁₋₄ alkyl, —C(O)—O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —C(O)—O-phenyl, —C(O)—O—CH₂-phenyl, wherein the phenyl can optionally be substituted by 1 to 3 halogen atoms;

[0048] (b) wherein X¹ is chlorine or bromine, X² is hydrogen and R is selected from the group consisting of

[0049]  or

[0050] (c) wherein X¹ is hydroxy, —O—C₁₋₄ alkyl and —O-phenyl, and X² is

[0051] and R is

[0052]  to form a compound of the general formula (III)

[0053]  wherein R* is —O—R in case (a) of step (i) and —R in cases (b) and (c) of step (i).

[0054] (ii) reacting the compound of general formula (III) with a compound of general formula (IV)

[0055]  wherein R¹, R², R³, and R⁴ are as defined above,

[0056]  and an amine of general formula (V)

HR⁶  (V)

[0057]  wherein R⁶ is as defined above, to form the indolinone of the general formula (VI).

[0058] The present invention also refers to a process for preparing an indolinone of the general formula (VI)

[0059] wherein

[0060] R¹,R²,R³,R⁴,R⁵,R⁶, J, K, L, M, and p are as defined above;

[0061] comprising the steps of

[0062] reacting a compound of the general formula (III)

[0063]  R⁵, J, K, L, M, and p are as defined above;

[0064] wherein R* is selected from the group consisting of —O—C(O)—C₁₋₄ alkyl, —O—C(O)—O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —O—C(O)—O-phenyl, provided that the phenyl may optionally be substituted by 1 to 3 halogen atoms, —O—C(O)—O—CH₂-phenyl, provided that the phenyl may optionally be substituted by 1 to 3 halogen atoms,

[0065]  with a compound of general formula (IV)

[0066]  R¹, R², R³, and R⁴ are as defined above;

[0067]  and an amine of general formula (V)

HR⁶  (V)

[0068]  wherein R⁶ is as defined above, to form the indolinone of the general formula (VI).

[0069] In yet another embodiment compounds of the general formula (III):

[0070] wherein R⁵, J, K, L, M, and p are as defined above and R* is selected from the group consisting of —O—C(O)—C₁₋₄ alkyl, —O—C(O)—O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —O—C(O)—O-phenyl, provided that the phenyl may optionally be substituted by 1 to 3 halogen atoms, —O—C(O)—O—CH₂-phenyl, provided that the phenyl may optionally be substituted by 1 to 3 halogen atoms,

[0071] are disclosed. Preferably R* is

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0072] The present invention provides a process for preparing indolinone derivatives of general formula (VI). The compounds can modulate the activity of protein kinases and the compounds themselves, their pharmaceutically acceptable salts and derivatives are useful in a wide range of medical applications. Preferred compounds having the formula (VI), pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds and the medical utility of these compounds have been described, e.g. in WO 01/45689, WO 01/60814, WO 99/48868, U.S. Pat. No. 6,316,429, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,316,635, 6,133,305, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,248,771, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in the entirety. Particularly preferred compounds are described in WO 01/45689 (e.g. compounds 15 and 16) and WO 01/60814 (e.g. in the examples and in Table 1).

[0073] The indolinone compounds have the general formula (VI)

[0074] R¹, R², R³, R⁴ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₁₂ alkyl, C₁₋₁₂ alkoxy, C₅₋₁₂ cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₂ aryl, C₅₋₁₂ heterocyclic group containing 1 to 3 atoms selected from N, S or O, provided that the heterocyclic group may be partially unsaturated, but not aromatic, C₆₋₁₂ aryloxy, C₆₋₁₂ alkaryl, C₆₋₁₂ alkaryloxy, halogen, trihalomethyl, hydroxy, —S(O)R′, —SO₂NR′R″, —SO₃R′, —SR′, —NO₂, —NR′R″, —OH, —CN, —C(O)R′, —OC(O)R′, —NHC(O)R′, (CH₂)_(n)CO₂R′, and —CONR′R″. Preferably R¹ is hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl; more preferably R¹ is hydrogen. In a preferred embodiment R² is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, C₁₋₄ alkyl, —O—C₁₋₄ alkyl, phenyl, —COOH, —CN, —C(O)CH₃, —SO₂NH₂ and —SO₂N(CH₃)₂; more preferably R² is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, C₁₋₄ alkyl, —O—C₁₋₄ alkyl, —CN, —SO₂NH₂ and —SO₂N(CH₃)₂ and even more preferably R² is hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, and C₁₋₄ alkyl. Most preferably R² is fluorine.

[0075] In a preferred embodiment R³ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₄ alkyl, phenyl, C₁₋₄ alkoxy and —COOH; more preferably R³ is hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl most preferably R³ is hydrogen.

[0076] It is preferred that R⁴ is hydrogen.

[0077] Each R⁵ is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₁₂ alkyl, C₁₋₁₂ alkoxy, C₅₋₁₂ cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₂ aryl, C₅₋₁₂ heterocyclic group containing 1 to 3 atoms selected from N, S or O, provided that the heterocyclic group may be partially unsaturated, but not aromatic, C₆₋₁₂ aryloxy, C₆₋₁₂ alkaryl, C₆₋₁₂ alkaryloxy, halogen, trihalomethyl, hydroxy, —S(O)R′, —SO₂NR′R″, —SO₃R′, —SR′, —NO₂, —NR′R″, —OH, —CN, —C(O)R′, —OC(O)R′, —NHC(O)R′, —(CH₂)_(n)CO₂R′, and —CONR′R″. Preferably R⁵ is hydrogen or a C₁₋₄ alkyl.

[0078] R⁶ is is selected from —NR⁸(CH₂)_(m)R⁹ and —NR¹⁰R¹¹, provided that optionally one to two of the CH₂ groups may be substituted by —OH or halogen. Preferably R⁶ is —NR⁸(CH₂)_(m)R⁹. In a preferred embodiment the CH₂ groups are unsubstituted or one of the CH₂ groups is substituted by —OH.

[0079] R⁸ is hydrogen or C₁₋₁₂ alkyl. Preferably R⁸ is hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl, and more preferably R⁸ is hydrogen.

[0080] R⁹ is selected from the group consisting of —NR¹⁰R¹¹, —OH, C(O)R¹², C₆₋₁₂ aryl, C₅₋₁₂ heterocyclic group containing 1 to 3 atoms selected from N, S or O, —N⁺(O⁻)R¹⁰, and —NHC(O)R¹³. In one embodiment R⁹ is preferably —NR¹⁰R¹¹. In a second embodiment R⁹ is preferably a C₅₋₁₂ heterocyclic group containing 1 to 3 atoms selected from N, S or O. Preferably the heterocyclic group is a five- to seven-membered heterocyclic group bonded to the (CH₂)_(m) group via a nitrogen atom and optionally containing a further heteroatom selected from N, O, and S. Examples of the heterocyclic group are, but are not limited to

[0081] Preferably the heterocyclic group is

[0082] R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₁₂ alkyl, C₁₋₁₂ cyanoalkyl, C₅₋₁₂ cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₂ aryl, and C₅₋₁₂ heterocyclic group containing 1 to 3 atoms selected from N, S or O; or R¹⁰ and R¹¹ may be combined to form a five- or six-membered heterocyclic group optionally containing 1 to 3 atoms selected from N, O, or S in addition to the nitrogen atom to which R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are bound, provided that the heterocyclic group formed by R¹⁰ and R¹¹ may optionally be substituted by R′. Preferably R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl. More preferably R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are H.

[0083] R¹² is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, —OH, C₁₋₁₂ alkoxy and C₆₋₁₂ aryloxy. Preferably R¹² is a C₁₋₄ alkyl.

[0084] R¹³ is selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₁₂ alkyl, C₁₋₁₂ haloalkyl, and C₆₋₁₂ aralkyl. Preferably R¹³ is a C₁₋₄ alkyl.

[0085] R′ and R″ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₁₂ alkyl, C₁₋₁₂ cyanoalkyl, C₅₋₁₂ cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₂ aryl, C₅₋₁₂ heterocyclic group containing 1 to 3 atoms selected from N, S or O, provided that the heterocyclic group may be partially unsaturated, but not aromatic, or in the group —NR′R″ the R′ and R″ substituents may be combined to form a five- or six-membered heterocyclic group optionally containing 1 to 3 atoms selected from N, O, or S in addition to the nitrogen atom to which R′ and R″ are bound. Preferably R′ and R″ are independently a C₁₋₄ alkyl.

[0086] J is selected from the group consisting of O, S, and NH, preferably J is NH one of K, L and M is C and the group —C(O)R⁶ is bound thereto, the others of the group of K, L and M are independently selected from the group consisting of CR⁵, CR⁵ ₂, N, NR⁵, O and S. Preferred heterocyclic groups

[0087] are

[0088] Particularly preferred as the heterocyclic group is

[0089] n is 0, 1 or 2.

[0090] m is 1, 2, 3, or 4; preferably m is 2 or 3.

[0091] p is 0, 1 or 2.

[0092] Preferred compounds are shown wherein X is a halogen

[0093] In the first step of the process of the present invention, a compound of general formula (I)

[0094] wherein R⁵, R⁶, J, K, L, M and p are as defined above, is reacted with a compound of general formula (II)

X²—R  (II)

[0095] (a) wherein one of X¹ and X² is chlorine, or bromine; and the other is selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, —O—C₁₋₄ alkyl and —O-phenyl; and R is selected from the group consisting of —C(O)—C₁₋₄ alkyl, —C(O)—O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —C(O)—O-phenyl, provided that the phenyl may optionally be substituted by 1 to 3 halogen atoms, —(O)—O—CH₂-phenyl, provided that the phenyl may optionally be substituted by 1 to 3 halogen atoms,

[0096] (b) wherein X¹ is chlorine or bromine, X² is hydrogen and R is selected from the group consisting of

[0097]  or

[0098] (c) wherein X¹ is hydroxy, —O—C₁₋₄ alkyl and O-phenyl, and X² is

[0099]  and R is

[0100]  to form a compound of the general formula (III)

[0101]  wherein R* is —O—R in case (a) of step (1) and —R in cases (b) and (c) of first step. In first step, option (c) is preferred.

[0102] The compounds of general formulae (I) and (II) are either commercially available or can be prepared by methods well known in the art. For example, heterocycles having a formyl group can be obtained by slowly adding POCl₃ to dimethylformamide followed by addition of the appropriate heterocycle, which is also dissolved in dimethylformamide. This reaction is described in more detail and exemplified e.g. in WO 01/60814, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0103] The reaction is generally carried out in a polar aprotic solvent. An aprotic solvent is any solvent that, under normal reaction conditions, does not donate a proton to a solute. Polar solvents are those which have a non-uniform distribution of charge. Generally they include 1 to 3 atoms selected from heteroatom such as N, S or O. Examples of polar aprotic solvents that can be used in the invention are ethers such as tetrahydrofuran, diethylether, methyl tert-butyl ether, nitrile solvents such as acetonitrile, and amide solvents such as dimethylformamide. Preferably the reaction solvent is an ether, more preferably the solvent is tetrahydrofuran. Mixtures of the solvents may also be employed. The aprotic, polar solvent preferably has a boiling point from 30° C. to 130° C., more preferably from 50° C. to 80° C. Both components of the reaction are introduced into a reaction vessel together with the solvent. The reactants may be added in any order, although it is preferred to add compound I to a stirred suspension of compound II in a suitable solvent, at room temperature (18-25° C.). A reactant concentration of 0.3 to 0.5 moles/liter is preferred, although the person of skill in the art will appreciate that the reaction may be conducted at different concentrations. The reaction may be conducted at a temperature of 0° C. up to the reflux temperature of the solvent. However, it is preferred to conduct the reaction at a temperature of 25° C. to 80° C. with mechanical stirring. The progress of the reaction may be monitored by a suitable analytical method, such as HPLC. Upon completion of the reaction the reaction mixture is cooled and the intermediate compound III crystallizes. It is preferred to cool the reaction mixture to a temperature below room temperature and 0° C. is most preferred. The intermediate compound III may be separated from the reaction mixture by methods known to those skilled in the art, such as centrifuging, and filtration. Intermediate III is a crystalline solid that is non-hygroscopic and is stable in air at room temperature.

[0104] The compound of general formula (III) is then reacted in a second step with a compound of general formula (IV)

[0105] wherein R¹, R², R³ R⁴ are as defined above

[0106] and an amine of general formula (V)

HR⁶  (V)

[0107] wherein R⁶ is as defined above to form the indolinone of the general formula (VI). The reaction can be carried out in solution, using the same solvents used in the first reaction step. The reaction may be carried out sequentially by reacting compound III with either compound compound IV or compound V and then adding the other compound. However, it is preferred that compounds II, IV and V are introduced into a reaction vessel together with the solvent. The reactants may be added in any order, although it is preferred to add compound III to a stirred suspension of compound IV and the amine V in a suitable solvent, at room temperature (18-25° C.). A reactant concentration of 0.3 to 0.5 moles/liter is preferred, although the person of skill in the art will appreciate that the reaction may be conducted at different concentrations. The reaction may be conducted at a temperature of 50° C. up to the reflux temperature of the solvent. However, it is preferred to conduct the reaction at a temperature of 50° C. to 80° C. with mechanical stirring. The progress of the reaction may be monitored by a suitable analytical method, such as HPLC. Upon completion of the reaction, the reaction mixture is cooled and compound VI crystallizes. It is preferred to cool the reaction mixture to a temperature below room temperature and 0° C. is most preferred. Compound VI may be separated from the reaction mixture by methods known to those skilled in the art, such as centrifuging, and filtration. Although Compound VI obtained from the process above is often of sufficient purity for medical use, if desired, compound VI may be further purified by methods known to those skilled in the art, such as recrystallization.

[0108] If desired the indolinone compounds of general formula (VI) can be further reacted to their pharmaceutically acceptable salts or derivatives according to conventional processes.

[0109] The present invention provides a process for preparing indolinone derivatives, which is more convenient than the prior art processes. Generally the intermediates are easier to handle. Furthermore, product isolation is facilitated.

[0110] The following examples serve to illustrate the invention and should not be construed as limiting. Unless otherwise specified all percentages, parts, and amounts are based on weight.

EXAMPLES Example 1

[0111] N-[2-(diethylamino)ethyl]-5-[(Z)-(5-fluoro-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-3H-indol-3-

[0112] ylidene)methyl]-2,4-dimethyl-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide

[0113] 4-(1H-imidazol-1-ylcarbonyl)-3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrrole-2-carbaldehyde (14.0 g), N,N-diethylethylenediamine (15.0 g), 5-fluorooxindole (9.86 g), triethylamine (27 ml), and acetonitrile (250 ml) were mixed and heated to 60° C. The black slurry was stirred for 18 h at 60° C. (needs mechanical stirrer). The resulting yellow slurry was cooled to room temperature, diluted with 100 ml acetonitrile, and filtered. The cake was washed with 3×100 ml acetonitrile and dried overnight at 50° C. under house vacuum. N-[2-(diethylamino)ethyl]-5-[(Z)-(5-fluoro-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-3H-indol-3-ylidene)methyl]-2,4-dimethyl-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide (21.7 g) was obtained with 85% yield.

Example 2

[0114] 5-[(Z)-(5-bromo-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-3H-indol-3-ylidene)methyl]—N-[2-(diethylamino)ethyl]-2,4-dimethyl-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide

[0115] A 0.1L flask fitted with a thermometer, condenser, beating mantle, nitrogen inlet and magnetic stirring was charged with, 3.0 g 5-Bromooxindole, 3.03 g 4-(1H-imidazol-1-ylcarbonyl)-3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrrole-2-carbaldehyde, 3.24 g N,N-Diethylethylene diamine, 4.23 g Triethylamine and 30 ml Tetrahydrofuran. The mixture was heated to 60-65° C. for 8 hours, then cooled to ambient temperature. 10 ml Tetrahydrofuran was added to aid stirring and the reaction mixture was filtered. Drying provided 3.7 g (57.7%) first crop of 5-[(Z)-(5-bromo-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-3H-indol-3-ylidene)methyl]-N-[2-(diethylamino)ethyl]-2,4-dimethyl-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide. The mother liquors are cooled to −10° C. for 6 h for an additional 1.9 g (29.6%). 1 HNMR (DMSO): δ 8.08 (1H, s); 7.75 (1H, s); 7.41 (1H, s); 7.24 (1H, d); 6.81 (1H, d); 3.31 (4H, bs); 2.46 (14H, bm); 0.96 (6H, t).

Example 3

[0116] 5-[(Z)-(5-fluoro-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-3H-indol-3-ylidene)methyl]-N-[(2R)-2-hydroxy-3-morpholin-4-ylpropyl]-2,4-dimethyl-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide

[0117] A 0.25L flask fitted with a thermometer, condenser, magnetic stirring, and nitrogen inlet was charged with 4.92 g 5-Fluorooxindole, 7.0 g 4-(1H-imidazol-1-ylcarbonyl)-3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrrole-2-carbaldehyde, 15.5 g (R)-1-Amino-3-(4-morpholinyl)-2-propanol, 9.78 g Triethylamine and 88 ml Tetrahydrofuran. The mixture was heated to 60° C. for 16.5 hours. The reaction was cooled to ambient temperature and filtered. The solids obtained were slurried (3) three successive times in acetonitrile at 11 ml/g, dried in vacuoto produce a yield of 3.6 g (25.25%) of 5-[(Z)-(5-fluoro-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-3H-indol-3-ylidene)methyl]-N-[(2R)-2-hydroxy-3-morpholin-4-ylpropyl]-2,4-dimethyl-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide.

[0118]¹HNMR (DMSO): δ 10.86 (1H, bs); 7.75 (1H, d); 7.70 (1H, s); 7.50 (1H, m), 6.88 (2H, m), 4.72 (1H, bs); 3.78 (1H, bs); 3.56 (4H, m); 3.32 (6H, m); 3.15 (1H, m), 2.43 (8H, bm).

Example 4

[0119] 5-[(Z)-(5-chloro-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-3H-indol-3-ylidene)methyl]-N-[(2S)-2-hydroxy-3-morpholin-4-ylpropyl]-2,4-dimethyl-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide

[0120] 4-(1H-imidazol-1-ylcarbonyl)-3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrrole-2-carbaldehyde (6.8 g, 31.3 mmol), (2S)-1-amino-3-morpholin-4-ylpropan-2-ol (10.0 g, 62.5 mmol), 5-chlorooxindole (5.3 g, 31.6 mmol), and THF (100 ml) were mixed and heated to 60° C. After stirring for 68 h at 60° C., triethylamine (14 ml) was added and stirred for 5 h at 60° C. Added 4.6 g of (2S)-1-amino-3-morpholin-4-ylpropan-2-ol, and stirred for 20 h at 60° C. The yellow slurry was cooled to room temperature and filtered. The cake was washed with 2×50 ml THF and dried overnight at 50° C. under house vacuum. 5-[(Z)-(5-chloro-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-3H-indol-3-ylidene)methyl]-N-[(2S)-2-hydroxy-3-morpholin-4-ylpropyl]-2,4-dimethyl-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide (5.48 g) was obtained with 38% yield.

Example 5

[0121] 5-[(Z)-(5-fluoro-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-3H-indol-3-ylidene)methyl]-2,4-dimethyl-N-

[0122] (2-pyrrolidin-1-ylethyl)-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide

[0123] A mixture of 4-(1H-imidazol-1-ylcarbonyl)-3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrrole-2-carbaldehyde (4.1 Kg), THF (70.8 Kg), and water (4.7L) were heated at 40-50° C. until the solids were dissolved. The resulting solution was filtered, and then distilled to 40-50. The mixture was subsequently cooled to 25-30° C. A solution of 1-(2-aminoethyl) pyrrolidine (2.8 Kg) in THF (2.1 L) was added. A solution of 5-Fluorooxindole (2.9 Kg) in THF (18.8 Kg) was also added. The mixture was then heated to 45-50° C. for 17 h. The mixture was cooled, filtered, washed with THF (28 Kg), and dried at 45-50° C. to afford 5.53 Kg (73%) of 5-[(Z)-(5-fluoro-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-3H-indol-3-ylidene)methyl]-2,4-dimethyl-N-(2-pyrrolidin-1-ylethyl)-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide.

[0124]¹H NMR (DMSO-d6) δ 2.48 (d, J=8 Hz, 6H), 2.55 (m, 7H), 2.62 (t, J=8 Hz, 1H), 3.37 (m, 6H), 6.90 (m, 1H), 7.00 (m, 1H), 7.57 (t, J=4 Hz, 1H), 7.80 (m, 2H).

Example 6

[0125] 5-[(Z)-(5-chloro-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-3H-indol-3-ylidene)methyl]-N-[(2R)-2-hydroxy-3-morpholin-4-ylpropyl]-2,4-dimethyl-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide

[0126] 4-(1H-imidazol-1-ylcarbonyl)-3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrrole-2-carbaldehyde (7.0 g, 32.3 mmol), (2R)-1-amino-3-morpholin-4-ylpropan-2-ol (15.5 g, 96.9 mmol), 5-chlorooxindole (5.48 g, 32.6 mmol), triethylamine (14 ml), and THF (88 ml) were mixed and heated to 60° C. A red solution formed. After stirring for 16 h at 60° C., the yellow slurry was cooled to room temperature and filtered. The cake was washed with 2×50 ml of THF and dried overnight at 50° C. under house vacuum. 5-[(Z)-(5-chloro-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-3H-indol-3-ylidene)methyl]-N-[(2R)-2-hydroxy-3-morpholin-4-ylpropyl]-2,4-dimethyl-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide (4.36 g) was obtained in 29% yield.

Example 7

[0127] 5-[(Z)-(5-fluoro-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-3H-indol-3-ylidene)methyl]-N-[(2S)-2-hydroxy-3-morpholin-4-ylpropyl]-2,4-dimethyl-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide

[0128] 4-(1H-imidazol-1-ylcarbonyl)-3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrrole-2-carbaldehyde (7.0 g, 32.3 mmol), (2S)-1-amino-3-morpholin-4-ylpropan-2-ol (15.0 g, 64.6 mmol), 5-fluorooxindole (4.93 g, 32.6 mmol), triethylamine (9.79 g, 96.9 mmol), and THF (88 ml) were mixed and heated to 60° C. After stirring for 24 h at 60° C., the mixture was cooled to rt and filtered. The cake was washed with 80 ml THF and dried overnight at 50° C. under house vacuum. A brown solid (23.2 g) was obtained. The solid was slurried in 350 ml water for 5 h at room temperature and filtered. The cake was washed with 100 ml water and dried at 50° C. under house vacuum overnight. 5-[(Z)-(5-fluoro-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-3H-indol-3-ylidene)methyl]-N-[(2S)-2-hydroxy-3-morpholin-4-ylpropyl]-2,4-dimethyl-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide (8.31 g) was obtained in 56% yield.

Example 8

[0129] 5-[(Z)-(5-fluoro-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-3H-indol-3-ylidene)methyl]-2,4-dimethyl-N-(2-morpholin-4-ylethyl)-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide

[0130] 4-(1H-imidazol-1-ylcarbonyl)-3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrrole-2-carbaldehyde (5.0 g, 23.0 mmol), 4-(2-aminoethyl)morpholine (4.5 g, 34.6 mmol), 5-fluorooxindole (3.47 g, 23.0 mmol), and THF (80 ml) were mixed and heated to 65° C. After stirring for 24 h at 65° C., the mixture was cooled to room temperature and filtered. The cake was washed with 40 ml THF and dried overnight at 50° C. under house vacuum. 5-[(Z)-(5-fluoro-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-3H-indol-3-ylidene)methyl]-2,4-dimethyl-N-(2-morpholin-4-ylethyl)-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide (8.28 g) was obtained in 87% yield.

Example 9

[0131] (3Z)-3-({3,5-dimethyl-4-[(4-morpholin-4-ylpiperidin-1-yl)carbonyl]-1H-pyrrol-2-yl}methylene)-5-fluoro-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one

[0132] 4-(1H-imidazol-1-ylcarbonyl)-3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrrole-2-carbaldehyde (11.3 g, 51.9 mmol), 4-morpholinopiperidine (15.0 g, 88.2 mmol), 5-fluorooxindole (7.84 g, 51.9 mmol), and THF (126 ml) were mixed and heated to 66° C. After stirring for 68 h at 66° C., the mixture was cooled to room temperature and filtered. The cake was washed with 4×20 ml THF and dried overnight at 70° C. under house vacuum. (3Z)-3-({3,5-dimethyl-4-[(4-morpholin-4-ylpiperidin-1-yl)carbonyl]-1H-pyrrol-2-yl}methylene)-5-fluoro-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one 16.09 g was obtained in 68% yield. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A process for preparing an indolinone of the general formula (VI)

wherein R¹, R², R³, R⁴ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₁₂ alkyl, C₁₋₁₂ alkoxy, C₅₋₁₂ cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₂ aryl, C₅₋₁₂ heterocyclic group containing 1 to 3 atoms selected from N, S or O, provided that the heterocyclic group may be partially unsaturated, but not aromatic, C₆₋₁₂ aryloxy, C₆₋₁₂ alkaryl, C₆₋₁₂ alkaryloxy, halogen, trihalomethyl, hydroxy, —S(O)R′, —SO₂NR′R″, —SO₃R′, —SR′, —NO₂, —NR′R″, —OH, —CN, —C(O)R′, —OC(O)R′, —NHC(O)R′, —(CH₂)_(n)CO₂R′, and —CONR′R″; each R⁵ is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₁₂ alkyl, C₁₋₁₂ alkoxy, C₅₋₁₂ cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₂ aryl, C₅₋₁₂ heterocyclic group containing 1 to 3 atoms selected from N, S or O, provided that the heterocyclic group may be partially unsaturated, but not aromatic, C₆₋₁₂ aryloxy, C₆₋₁₂ alkaryl, C₆₋₁₂ alkaryloxy, halogen, trihalomethyl, hydroxy, —S(O)R′, —SO₂NR′R″, —SO₃R′, —SR′, —NO₂, —NR′R″, —OH, —CN, —C(O)R′, —OC(O)R′, —NHC(O)R′, —(CH₂)_(n)CO₂R′, and —CONR′R″; R⁶ is is selected from —NR⁸(CH₂)_(m)R⁹ and —NR¹⁰R¹¹, provided that optionally one to two of the CH₂ groups may be substituted by —OH or halogen, R⁸ is hydrogen or C₁₋₁₂ alkyl, R⁹ is selected from the group consisting of —NR¹⁰R¹¹, —OH, —C(O)R¹², C₆₋₁₂ aryl, C₅₋₁₂ heterocyclic group containing 1 to 3 atoms selected from N, S or O, —N⁺(O⁻)R¹⁰, and —NHC(O)R¹³; R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₁₂ alkyl, C₁₋₁₂ cyanoalkyl, C₅₋₁₂ cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₂ aryl, and C₅₋₁₂ heterocyclic group containing 1 to 3 atoms selected from N, S or O; or R¹⁰ and R¹¹ may be combined to form a five- or six-membered heterocyclic group optionally containing 1 to 3 atoms selected from N, O, or S in addition to the nitrogen atom to which R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are bound, provided that the heterocyclic group formed by R¹⁰ and R¹¹ may optionally be substituted by R′ R¹² is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, —OH, C₁₋₁₂ alkoxy and C₆₋₁₂ aryloxy; R¹³ is selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₁₂ alkyl, C₁₋₁₂ haloalkyl, and C₆₋₁₂ aralkyl; R′ and R″ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₁₂ alkyl, C₁₋₁₂ cyanoalkyl, C₅₋₁₂ cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₂ aryl, C₅₋₁₂ heterocyclic group containing 1 to 3 atoms selected from N, S or O, provided that the heterocyclic group may be partially unsaturated, but not aromatic, or in the group —NR′R″, R′ and R″ may be combined to form a five- or six-membered heterocyclic group optionally containing 1 to 3 atoms selected from N, O, or S in addition to the nitrogen atom to which R′ and R″ are bound; Halo is a substituent selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, and I J is selected from the group consisting of O, S, and NH; one of K, L and M is C and the group —C(O)R⁶ is bound thereto, the others of the group of K, L and M are independently selected from the group consisting of CR⁵, CR⁵ ₂, N, NR⁵, O and S; n is 0, 1 or 2; m is 1, 2, 3, or 4; and p is 0, 1 or 2; comprising the steps of (i) reacting a compound of general formula (I)

 wherein R⁵, J, K, L, M and p are as defined above, Q is selected from the group consisting of

 with a compound of general formula (II) X²—R  (II) wherein: (a) one of X¹ and X² is chlorine, or bromine, and the other is selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, —O—C₁₋₄ alkyl and —O-phenyl, and R is selected from the group consisting of C(O)—C₁₋₄ alkyl, —C(O)—O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —C(O)—O-phenyl, provided that the phenyl may optionally be substituted by 1 to 3 halogen atoms, —C(O)—O—CH₂-phenyl, provided that the phenyl may optionally be substituted by 1 to 3 halogen atoms, or (b) X¹ is chlorine or bromine, X² is hydrogen and R is selected from the group consisting of

 or (c) X¹ is hydroxy, —O—C₁₋₄ alkyl and —O-phenyl, X² is

and R is

 to form a compound of the general formula (III)

 wherein R* is —O—R in case (a) of step (i) and —R in cases (b) and (c) of step (i); (ii) reacting the compound of general formula (III) with a compound of general formula (IV)

 wherein R¹, R², R³, and R⁴ are as defined above,  and an amine of general formula (V) HR⁶  (V)  wherein R⁶ is as defined above, to form the indolinone of the general formula (VI).
 2. The process according to claim 1, wherein

is selected from the group consisting of


3. The process according to claim 1, wherein


4. The process according to claim 1, wherein R¹ is hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl.
 5. The process according to claim 1, wherein R¹ is hydrogen.
 6. The process according to claim 1, wherein R² is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, C₁₋₄ alkyl, —O—C₁₋₄ alkyl, phenyl, —COOH, —CN, —C(O)CH₃, —SO₂NH₂ and —SO₂N(CH₃)₂.
 7. The process according to claim 1, wherein R² is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, C₁₋₄ alkyl, —O—C₁₋₄ alkyl, —CN, —SO₂NH₂ and —SO₂N(CH₃)₂.
 8. The process according to claim 1, wherein R² is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, and bromine.
 9. The process according to claim 1, wherein R² is fluorine.
 10. The process according to claim 1, wherein R³ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₄ alkyl, phenyl, —O—C₁₋₁₄ alkyl and —COOH.
 11. The process according to claim 1, wherein R³ is hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl.
 12. The process according to claim 1, wherein R³ is hydrogen.
 13. The process according to claim 1, wherein R⁴ is hydrogen.
 14. The process according to claim 1, wherein R⁵ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₄ alkyl, —C(O)—C₁₋₄ alkyl, —C(O)-phenyl, and phenyl.
 15. The process according to claim 1, wherein R⁵ is hydrogen, or C₁₋₄ alkyl.
 16. The process according to claim 1, wherein R⁶ is —NR⁸(CH₂)_(m)R⁹, provided that one or two of the CH₂ groups can optionally be substituted by —OH or halogen.
 17. The process according to claim 1, wherein R⁸ is hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl.
 18. The process according to claim 1, wherein m is 2 or
 3. 19. The process according to claim 1, wherein R⁹ is —NR¹⁰R¹¹.
 20. The process according to claim 19, wherein R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl.
 21. The process according to claim 1, wherein R⁹ is a C₅₋₁₂ heterocyclic group containing 1 to 3 atoms selected from N, S or O.
 22. The process according to claim 21, wherein the heterocyclic group is a five- to seven-membered heterocyclic group bonded to the (CH₂)_(m) group via a nitrogen atom and optionally containing a further heteroatom selected from N, O, and S.
 23. The process according to claim 22, wherein the heterocyclic group is selected from the group consisting of


24. The process of claim 23, wherein the heterocyclic group is selected from the group consisting of


25. The process according to claim 16, wherein R⁸ is hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl.
 26. The process according to claim 16, wherein m is 2 or
 3. 27. The process according to claim 16, wherein R⁹ is —NR¹⁰R¹¹.
 28. The process according to claim 27, wherein R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl.
 29. The process according to claim 16, wherein R⁹ is a C₅₋₁₂ heterocyclic group containing 1 to 3 atoms selected from N, S or O.
 30. The process according to claim 29, wherein the heterocyclic group is a five- or six-membered heterocyclic group bonded to the (CH₂)_(m) group via a nitrogen atom and optionally containing a further heteroatom selected from N, O, and S.
 31. The process according to claim 30, wherein the heterocyclic group is selected from the group consisting of


32. The process of claim 31, wherein the heterocyclic group is selected from the group consisting of


33. The process according to claim 1, wherein the compounds of general formula (I) and general formula (II) are reacted in a polar, aprotic solvent.
 34. The process according to claim 33, wherein the polar, aprotic solvent is an ether.
 35. The process according to claim 33, wherein the compounds of general formula (I) and general formula (II) are reacted at a temperature in the range of from about 0° C. to about the temperature at which the reaction mixture refluxes.
 36. The process according to claim 1, wherein the compounds of general formula (III), general formula (IV) and general formula (V) are reacted in a polar, aprotic solvent.
 37. The process according to claim 36, wherein the polar, aprotic solvent is an ether.
 38. The process according to claim 36, wherein the compounds of general formula (III), general formula (IV) and general formula (V) are reacted at a temperature in the range of from about +50° C. to about the temperature at which the reaction mixture refluxes.
 39. The process according to claim 1, wherein the compounds of general formula (III), general formula (IV) and general formula (V) are reacted in a one-pot reaction.
 40. The process according to claim 1, wherein the compound of general formula (VI) is selected from the group consisting of,

or wherein X is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine and bromine.
 41. The process according to claim 40, wherein X is fluorine.
 42. The process of claim 1, wherein the compound of the general formula (VI) is further converted into a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or derivative.
 43. A process for preparing a compound of the general formula (III)

wherein each R⁵ is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₁₂ alkyl, C₁₋₁₂ alkoxy, C₅₋₁₂ cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₂ aryl, C₅₋₁₂ heterocyclic group containing 1 to 3 atoms selected from N, S or O, provided that the heterocyclic group may be partially unsaturated, but not aromatic, C₆₋₁₂ aryloxy, C₆₋₁₂ alkaryl, C₆₋₁₂ alkaryloxy, halogen, trihalomethyl, hydroxy, —S(O)R′, —SO₂NR′R″, —SO₃R′, —SR′, —NO₂, —NR′R″, —OH, —CN, —C(O)R′, OC(O)R′, —NHC(O)R′, —(CH₂)_(n)CO₂R′, and —CONR′R″; R⁶ is —NR⁸(CH₂)_(m)R⁹ or —NR¹⁰R¹¹; R⁸ is hydrogen or C₁₋₁₂ alkyl; R⁹ is selected from the group consisting of —NR¹⁰R¹¹, —OH, —C(O)R¹², C₆₋₁₂ aryl, C₅₋₁₂ heterocyclic group containing 1 to 3 atoms selected from N, S or O, —N⁺(O⁻)R¹⁰, and —NHC(O)R¹³; R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₁₂ alkyl, C₁₋₁₂ cyanoalkyl, C₅₋₁₂ cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₂ aryl, and C₅₋₁₂ heterocyclic group containing 1 to 3 atoms selected from N, S or O; or R¹⁰ and R¹¹ may be combined to form a five- or six-membered heterocyclic group optionally containing 1 to 3 atoms selected from N, O, or S in addition to the nitrogen atom to which R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are bound, provided that the heterocyclic group formed by R¹⁰ and R¹¹ may optionally be substituted by R′; R¹² is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, —OH, C₁₋₁₂ alkoxy and C₆₋₁₂ aryloxy; R¹³ is selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₁₂ alkyl, C₁₋₁₂ haloalkyl, and C₆₋₁₂ aralkyl; R′ and R″ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₁₂ alkyl, C₁₋₁₂ cyanoalkyl, C₅₋₁₂ cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₂ aryl, C₅₋₁₂ heterocyclic group containing 1 to 3 atoms selected from N, S or O, provided that the heterocyclic group may be partially unsaturated, but not aromatic, or in the group —NR′R″ the R′ and R″ substituents may be combined to form a five- or six-membered heterocyclic group optionally containing 1 to 3 atoms selected from N, O, or S in addition to the nitrogen atom to which R′ and R″ are bound; J is selected from the group consisting of O, S, and NH; one of K, L and M is C and the group —C(O)R⁶ is bound thereto, the others of the group of K, L and M are independently selected from the group consisting of CR⁵, CR⁵ ₂, N, NR⁵, O and S; n is 0, 1 or 2; m is 1, 2, 3, or 4; p is 0, 1 or 2; comprising the steps of (i) reacting a compound of general formula (I)

 wherein R⁵, J, K, L, M, and p are as defined above,  with a compound of general formula (II) X²—R  (II) (a) wherein one of X¹ and X² is chlorine, or bromine; and the other is selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, —O—C₁₋₄ alkyl and —O-phenyl; and R is selected from the group consisting of —C(O)—C₁₋₄ alkyl, —(O)—O(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —C(O)—O-phenyl, —C(O)—O—CH₂-phenyl, wherein the phenyl can optionally be substituted by 1 to 3 halogen atoms; (b) wherein X¹ is chlorine or bromine, X² is hydrogen and R is selected from the group consisting of

 or (c) wherein X¹ is hydroxy, —O—C₁₋₄ alkyl and —O-phenyl, and X² is

and R is

 to form a compound of the general formula (III)

 wherein R* is —O—R in case (a) of step (i) and —R in cases (b) and (c) of step (i).
 44. A process for preparing an indolinone of the general formula (VI)

wherein R¹, R², R³, R⁴ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₁₂ alkyl, C₁₋₁₂ alkoxy, C₅₋₁₂ cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₂ aryl, C₅₋₁₂ heterocyclic group containing 1 to 3 atoms selected from N, S or O, provided that the heterocyclic group may be partially unsaturated, but not aromatic, C₆₋₁₂ aryloxy, C₆₋₁₂ alkaryl, C₆₋₁₂ alkaryloxy, halogen, trihalomethyl, hydroxy, —S(O)R′, —SO₂NR′R″, —SO₃R′, —SR′, —NO₂, —NR′R″, —OH, —CN, —C(O)R′, —OC(O)R′, —NHC(O)R′, —(CH₂)_(n)CO₂R′, and —CONR′R″; each R⁵ is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₁₂ alkyl, C₁₋₁₂ alkoxy, C₅₋₁₂ cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₂ aryl, C₅₋₁₂ heterocyclic group containing 1 to 3 atoms selected from N, S or O, provided that the heterocyclic group may be partially unsaturated, but not aromatic, C₆₋₁₂ aryloxy, C₆₋₁₂ alkaryl, C₆₋₁₂ alkaryloxy, halogen, trihalomethyl, hydroxy, —S(O)R′, —SO₂NR′R″, —SO₃R′, —SR′, —NO₂, —NR′R″, —OH, —CN, —C(O)R′, —OC(O)R′, —NHC(O)R′,(CH₂)_(n)CO₂R′, and —CONR′R″; R⁶ is —NR⁸(CH₂)_(m)R⁹ or —NR¹⁰R¹¹; R⁸ is hydrogen or C₁₋₁₂ alkyl; R⁹ is selected from the group consisting of —NR¹⁰R¹¹, —OH, —C(O)R¹², C₆₋₁₂ aryl, C₅₋₁₂ heterocyclic group containing 1 to 3 atoms selected from N, S or O, —N⁺(O⁻)R¹⁰, and —NHC(O)R¹³; R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₁₂ alkyl, C₁₋₁₂ cyanoalkyl, C₅₋₁₂ cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₂ aryl, and C₅₋₁₂ heterocyclic group containing 1 to 3 atoms selected from N, S or O; or R¹⁰ and R¹¹ may be combined to form a five- or six-membered heterocyclic group optionally containing 1 to 3 atoms selected from N, O, or S in addition to the nitrogen atom to which R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are bound, provided that the heterocyclic group formed by R¹⁰ and R¹¹ may optionally be substituted by R′; R¹² is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, —OH, C₁₋₁₂ alkoxy and C₆₋₁₂ aryloxy; R¹³ is selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₁₂ alkyl, C₁₋₁₂ haloalkyl, and C₆₋₁₂ aralkyl; R′ and R″ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₁₂ alkyl, C₁₋₁₂ cyanoalkyl, C5-12 cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₂ aryl, C₅₋₁₂ heterocyclic group containing 1 to 3 atoms selected from N, S or O, provided that the heterocyclic group may be partially unsaturated, but not aromatic, or in the group —NR′R″ the R′ and R″ substituents may be combined to form a five- or six-membered heterocyclic group optionally containing 1 to 3 atoms selected from N, O, or S in addition to the nitrogen atom to which R′ and R″ are bound; J is selected from the group consisting of O, S, and NH; one of K, L and M is C and the group —C(O)R⁶ is bound thereto, the others of the group of K, L and M are independently selected from the group consisting of CR⁵, CR⁵ ₂, N, NR, O and S; n is 0, 1 or 2; m is 1, 2, 3, or 4; and p is 0, 1 or 2; comprising the steps of reacting a compound of the general formula (III)

 wherein R⁵, J, K, L, M, and p are as defined above, and  wherein R* is selected from the group consisting of —O—C(O)—C₁₋₄ alkyl, —O—C(O)—O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —O—C(O)—O-phenyl, provided that the phenyl may optionally be substituted by 1 to 3 halogen atoms, —O—C(O)—O—CH₂-phenyl, provided that the phenyl may optionally be substituted by 1 to 3 halogen atoms;

 with a compound of general formula (IV)

 wherein R¹, R², R³, and R⁴ are as defined above and  an amine of general formula (V) HR⁶  (V)  wherein R⁶ is as defined above, to form the indolinone of the general formula (VI).
 45. A compound of the general formula (III):

wherein each R⁵ is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₁₂ alkyl, C₁₋₁₂ alkoxy, C₅₋₁₂ cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₂ aryl, C₅₋₁₂ heterocyclic group containing 1 to 3 atoms selected from N, S or O, provided that the heterocyclic group may be partially unsaturated, but not aromatic, C₆₋₁₂ aryloxy, C₆₋₁₂ alkaryl, C₆₋₁₂ alkaryloxy, halogen, trihalomethyl, hydroxy, —S(O)R′, —SO₂NR′R″, —SO₃R′, —SR′, —NO₂, —NR′R″, —OH, —CN, —C(O)R′, —OC(O)R′, —NHC(O)R′, —(CH₂)_(n)CO₂R′, and —CONR′R″; J is selected from the group consisting of O, S, and NH; one of K, L and M is C and the group —C(O)R⁶ is bound thereto, the others of the group of K, L and M are independently selected from the group consisting of CR⁵, CR⁵ ₂, N, NR⁵, O and S; p is 0, 1 or 2; and wherein R* is selected from the group consisting of —C(O)—C₁₋₄ alkyl, —O—C(O)—O—(C₁₋₄)alkyl, —O—C(O)—O-phenyl, provided that the phenyl may optionally be substituted by 1 to 3 halogen atoms, —O—C(O)—O—CH₂-phenyl, provided that the phenyl may optionally be substituted by 1 to 3 halogen atoms,


46. The compound of claim 45, wherein R* is


47. The compound of claim 45, wherein is


48. The process according to claim 1, wherein the compound of general formula (VI) is selected from the group consisting of: 